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Senior Reggie Scott blocked a field goal and made several plays during the Green Wave's first spring practice in full pads on Saturday.

March 29, 2008

New Orleans -
The Tulane Green Wave football team donned pads for the first time during the spring campaign and turned the third practice into a hard hitting affair despite intermediate rain showers throughout practice.

The Green Wave began its third day of preparation this spring with position meetings and then marched out to the Westfeldt Practice Facility and was met with a cool breeze. Following warm-ups and special team drills, the skies over the New Orleans Uptown area opened up and a light rain dampened the players, coach and fans for 20 minutes before letting up. A light sprinkle continued to fall through the completion of practice.

Tulane went to work with hard-hitting action during and alley drill and didn't let during a run middle drill. Senior defensive end Reggie Scott and classmate David Skehan set the tone early with several outstanding plays. Both turned back a pair of runs and Skehan, who is making the transition to linebacker this spring, was either stuffing the run or lead blocker consistently during the drill.

Toward the end of practice, the offense and defensive players headed to their respective sidelines and the first and second teams squared off in a brief scrimmage with limited hitting. Junior running back Andre Anderson lit up the overcast skies with several electrifying runs of 20 yards or more, including a 25-yard scamper that was highlighted with a spin-move that left a TU defender grasping for air. Anderson also had a long run with a carry around the right end early on.

"Andre proved last spring that he was a heck of a back when he filled in for Matt Forte, who was unable to practice," Tulane head coach Bob Toledo said. "I think people are going to be surprised how physical and how fast he is. He has worked extremely hard in the offseason by catching tennis balls and getting on the ball machine. He did all of that on his own to get better as a receiver because that was a concern for him last year. He is doing a great job right now."

While the defense was limited to the amount of contact it could impact on the offense, the Green Wave defenders forced a fumble and made several impressive stops. Scott continued to shine when he concluded the first week's practice with a blocked field goal.

"Reggie (Scott) and (Julian) Shives-Sams are both doing well right now. I've had to try and slow Reggie down and that's a good problem to have. He's going hard and he is going fast. He blocked the field goal today, so he's off to a great start. He's healthy for a change, he stronger than he's ever been and has a great attitude," Toledo said.

"We are way ahead of where we were a year ago. There is a great understanding of what we are doing schematically and what we are asking them to do from an effort standpoint. I think the attitude is really outstanding and I'm pleased with where we are starting. We didn't drop off a lot from last year and have picked up where we left off," Toledo said.

The mission of the Tulane University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to support the university's purpose of enriching the capacity to think, learn, act, and lead with integrity and wisdom. This is ensured by providing our student-athletes and staff with opportunities for competitive success and personal growth within the context of sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity.